It was the one group between offense and defense that appeared to be above-average in 2025 for the New York Jets.
Changes may still be coming, though.
Besides their special teams, no Jets unit was as solid as the offensive line last season. The pairing of first-round talents Olu Fashanu and Armand Membou, coupled with the solid play of guard Joe Tippmann, led the group to be considered one of the better groups in football.
The fact that it came on the heels of losing starting guard Alijah Vera-Tucker for the entire regular season only enhances the impressive performance from the starting five.
With free agency just a few weeks away, though, it appears the Jets are prepared to make a major change to that group. At the very least, they are willing to part with a key starter.
Are Jets O-line changes coming?
When Alijah Vera-Tucker suffered a torn triceps ahead of the 2025 season, the injury pushed Joe Tippmann to the starting right guard spot. The left side was handled by former free agent acquisition John Simpson.
Simpson was brought to the team in the 2024 offseason and became a dependable starter with a mean streak, a fit for an offense that needed an identity. His first year with the team was easily the most successful of his career, posting a 72.3 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus, ranking 16th among 67 qualified guards (minimum 500 snaps), while his 79.2 run-blocking grade ranked ninth.
He took a significant step back in 2025, posting a 62.0 pass-blocking grade (42nd of 63 guards) and a 56.7 run-blocking grade (41st).
AVT and Simpson are both set to hit the open market as unrestricted free agents, leaving the Jets with decisions to make on the interior of their line.
Speaking to Jets general manager Darren Mougey at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, it appeared that New York is willing to let both players walk.
“We’ll evaluate and stay in contact with those guys,” Mougey told Jets X-Factor. “We’ll monitor throughout the free agency process and just go through that process and see where it lands.”
It would not be the end of the world for the Jets to lose one or both of these players in free agency. The Jets are in a good position up front, having three Pro Bowl-caliber players to carry the load in 2026.
But the loss of both AVT and Simpson would mean New York must address the guard position in free agency or the 2026 draft. That would require additional resources and time spent on a position that arguably should not be of high importance this offseason.
New York did not completely rule out either player returning, though. Still, the Jets’ general manager sounded non-committal when asked about New York’s free agent guards.
However, the Jets may be able to get one of these players back on a discount.
AVT has suffered three season-ending injuries before the end of October in his five-year career. As a result, he may not get the kind of contract offer he’s hoping for based on his talent. Simpson’s down year could lower his asking price around the league as well.
The guard market is also among the most volatile of any position in free agency. The price for either player could be larger or smaller than originally anticipated. Instead of negotiating with themselves, the Jets seem prepared to allow the market to sort itself out.
But letting both players walk would be a gamble for the Jets—one they don’t have to make, but seem willing to.
